U.S. patent number 11,059,453 [Application Number 16/389,504] was granted by the patent office on 2021-07-13 for system and method for determining seatbelt routing.
This patent grant is currently assigned to GM Global Technology Operations LLC. The grantee listed for this patent is GM Global Technology Operations LLC. Invention is credited to Jeffrey J. Schultz, Scott D. Thomas.
United States Patent |
11,059,453 |
Thomas , et al. |
July 13, 2021 |
System and method for determining seatbelt routing
Abstract
A system and method for detecting seatbelt routing in a motor
vehicle safety restraint system for a motor vehicle seat. The
system includes a seatbelt buckle sensor, a seatbelt payout sensor,
an occupancy sensor, an automatic locking retractor sensor and a
control module. The method includes sensing a presence of a
seatbelt latchplate in a seatbelt buckle. Further, the method
includes sensing a seatbelt payout length. Additionally, the method
includes comparing the seatbelt payout length to a first seatbelt
payout length threshold. Moreover, the method includes determining
seatbelt routing based on whether seatbelt latchplate is present in
the seatbelt buckle and the seatbelt payout length is greater than
the first seatbelt payout length threshold.
Inventors: |
Thomas; Scott D. (Novi, MI),
Schultz; Jeffrey J. (Grand Blanc, MI) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
GM Global Technology Operations LLC |
Detroit |
MI |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
GM Global Technology Operations
LLC (Detroit, MI)
|
Family
ID: |
1000005671647 |
Appl.
No.: |
16/389,504 |
Filed: |
April 19, 2019 |
Prior Publication Data
|
|
|
|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20200331429 A1 |
Oct 22, 2020 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60R
22/34 (20130101); B60R 22/48 (20130101); B60N
2/002 (20130101); B60R 2022/4816 (20130101); B60R
2022/485 (20130101); B60R 2022/4825 (20130101); B60R
2022/4833 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B60R
22/48 (20060101); B60R 22/34 (20060101); B60N
2/00 (20060101) |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: English; James A
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Crane; Vivacqua
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A system for detecting seatbelt routing in a motor vehicle
safety restraint system for a motor vehicle seat, the system
comprising: a seatbelt buckle sensor for sensing a presence of a
seatbelt latchplate in a seatbelt buckle; a seatbelt payout sensor
for sensing a seatbelt payout length; a control module in
communication with the seatbelt buckle sensor and the seatbelt
payout sensor, wherein the control module includes executable code
to: compare the seatbelt payout length to a first seatbelt payout
length threshold; determine seatbelt routing based on whether
seatbelt latchplate is present in the seatbelt buckle, the
comparison of the seatbelt payout length with the first seatbelt
payout length threshold, and whether the seatbelt payout length is
equal to or greater than the first seatbelt payout length
threshold; and determine seatbelt routing further based on whether
the seatbelt payout length has been reduced to between a second
seatbelt payout length threshold and a third seatbelt payout length
threshold if the seatbelt payout length is not equal to or greater
than the first payout length threshold, wherein the second and
third payout length thresholds are adjustable based on one of seat
movement and guideloop position movement.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the control module further
comprises executable code to: determine that a small person is
properly belted when the presence of the seatbelt latchplate in the
seatbelt buckle is sensed, the seatbelt payout length after the
presence of the seatbelt latchplate in the seatbelt buckle is
sensed is less than the first seatbelt payout length threshold
after the presence of the seatbelt latchplate in the seatbelt
buckle is sensed.
3. The system of claim 2, further comprising an automatic locking
retractor sensor in communication with the control module for
sensing the engagement of the automatic locking retractor and
wherein the control module further comprises executable code to:
determine at least one of the small person is improperly belted and
a small object is properly belted, when the presence of a seatbelt
latchplate in the seatbelt buckle is sensed, the seatbelt payout
length after the presence of the seatbelt latchplate in the
seatbelt buckle is sensed the seatbelt payout length after the
presence of a seatbelt latchplate in the seatbelt buckle is sensed
is not less than the third seatbelt payout length threshold and the
automatic locking retractor was engaged after the presence of a
seatbelt latchplate in the seatbelt buckle is sensed.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein the control module further
comprises executable code to: determine that at least one of a
wrong latchplate is inserted in the seatbelt buckle and a fake
latch plate is inserted in the seatbelt buckle, when the presence
of a seatbelt latchplate in the seatbelt buckle is sensed, and the
seatbelt payout length after the presence of the seatbelt
latchplate in the seatbelt buckle is sensed is less than the second
seatbelt payout length threshold.
5. The system of claim 1, further comprising an occupancy sensor in
communication with the control module and wherein the control
module further comprises executable code to: determine whether an
occupant is present in the motor vehicle seat using the occupancy
sensor.
6. The system of claim 5, wherein the control module further
comprises executable code to: determine at least one of an
improperly restrained large person and a properly restrained large
object, when the seatbelt is determined to be buckled, the seatbelt
payout is greater than or equal to the first seatbelt payout length
threshold, when an occupant is determined to be present in the
vehicle seat at the time of the latchplate is inserted into the
buckle, when after the presence of a seatbelt latchplate in the
seatbelt buckle is sensed the occupant is present in the motor
vehicle seat more than a time period threshold within a time period
window and an automatic locking retractor was engaged after the
presence of a seatbelt latchplate in the seatbelt buckle is
sensed.
7. The system of claim 5, wherein the control module further
comprises executable code to: determine at least one of a properly
belted large person and an improperly belted large object, when the
presence of a seatbelt latchplate in the seatbelt buckle is sensed,
the seatbelt payout length is greater than or equal to the first
seatbelt payout length, an occupant is determined to be present in
the vehicle seat, after the presence of the seatbelt latchplate in
the seatbelt buckle is sensed the occupant is present in the seat
more than a time period threshold and within a time period
window.
8. The system of claim 5, further comprising an automatic locking
retractor sensor in communication with the control module for
sensing the engagement of the automatic locking retractor and
wherein the control module further comprises executable code to:
determine at least one of an improperly belted child restraint seat
and an improperly belted object when the presence of the seatbelt
latchplate in the seatbelt buckle is sensed, the seatbelt payout is
greater than or equal to the first seatbelt payout length
threshold, an occupant is determined to be present in the motor
vehicle seat, after the presence of the seatbelt latchplate in the
seatbelt buckle is sensed the occupant is not present in the seat
more than a time period threshold within a time period window and
the automatic locking retractor was not engaged after the seatbelt
was buckled.
9. The system of claim 8, wherein the control module further
comprises executable code to: determine at least one of an
improperly belted child restraint seat and an improperly belted
object when the presence of the seatbelt latchplate in the seatbelt
buckle is sensed, the seatbelt payout is greater than or equal to
the first seatbelt payout length threshold, an occupant is
determined to not be present in the vehicle seat, and the automatic
locking retractor was not engaged after the seatbelt was
buckled.
10. The system of claim 5, further comprising an automatic locking
retractor sensor in communication with the control module for
sensing the engagement of the automatic locking retractor and
wherein the control module further comprises executable code to:
determine at least one of a properly belted child restraint seat
and a properly belted object when the presence of a seatbelt
latchplate in the seatbelt buckle is sensed, the seatbelt payout
length is greater than or equal to the first seatbelt payout length
threshold, an occupant is present in the motor vehicle seat, when
after the presence of the seatbelt latchplate in the seatbelt
buckle is sensed the occupant was not present in the motor vehicle
seat more than a time period threshold within a time period window,
the automatic locking retractor was not engaged after the presence
of the seatbelt latchplate in the seatbelt buckle is sensed and
when after buckling the seatbelt payout length is increased by more
than a first predetermined seatbelt payout length threshold and
less than a second predetermined seatbelt payout length threshold
within a time period window.
11. A method for detecting seatbelt routing in a motor vehicle
safety restraint system for a motor vehicle seat, the method
comprising: sensing a presence of a seatbelt latchplate in a
seatbelt buckle; sensing a seatbelt payout length; comparing the
seatbelt payout length to a first seatbelt payout length threshold;
determine seatbelt routing based on whether seatbelt latchplate is
present in the seatbelt buckle, the comparison of the seatbelt
payout length with the first seatbelt payout length threshold, and
whether the seatbelt payout length is equal to or greater than the
first seatbelt payout length threshold; and determine seatbelt
routing further based on whether the seatbelt payout length has
been reduced to between a second seatbelt payout length threshold
and a third seatbelt payout length threshold if the seatbelt payout
length is not equal to or greater than the first payout length
threshold, wherein the second and third payout length thresholds
are adjustable based on one of seat movement and guideloop position
movement.
12. The method of claim 11, further comprising determining that a
small person is properly belted when the presence of the seatbelt
latchplate in the seatbelt buckle is sensed, the seatbelt payout
length after the presence of the seatbelt latchplate in the
seatbelt buckle is sensed is less than the first seatbelt payout
length threshold after the presence of the seatbelt latchplate in
the seatbelt buckle is sensed.
13. The method of claim 12, further comprising determining at least
one of the small person is improperly belted and a small object is
properly belted, when the presence of a seatbelt latchplate in the
seatbelt buckle is sensed, the seatbelt payout length after the
presence of the seatbelt latchplate in the seatbelt buckle is
sensed the seatbelt payout length after the presence of a seatbelt
latchplate in the seatbelt buckle is sensed is not less than the
third seatbelt payout length threshold and the automatic locking
retractor was engaged after the presence of the seatbelt latchplate
in the seatbelt buckle is sensed.
14. The method of claim 11, further comprising determining that at
least one of a wrong latchplate is inserted in the seatbelt buckle
and a fake latch plate is inserted in the seatbelt buckle, when the
presence of a seatbelt latchplate in the seatbelt buckle is sensed,
and the seatbelt payout length after the presence of the seatbelt
latchplate in the seatbelt buckle is sensed is less than the second
seatbelt payout length threshold.
15. The method of claim 11, further comprising determining whether
an occupant is present in the motor vehicle seat using an occupancy
sensor.
16. The method of claim 15, further comprising determining at least
one of an improperly restrained large person and a properly
restrained large object, when the seatbelt is determined to be
buckled, the seatbelt payout is greater than or equal to the first
seatbelt payout length threshold, when an occupant is determined to
be present in the vehicle seat at the time of the latchplate is
inserted into the buckle, when after the presence of a seatbelt
latchplate in the seatbelt buckle is sensed the occupant is present
in the motor vehicle seat more than a time period threshold within
a time period window and an automatic locking retractor was engaged
after the presence of a seatbelt latchplate in the seatbelt buckle
is sensed.
17. The method of claim 15, further comprising determining at least
one of a properly belted large person and an improperly belted
large object, when the presence of a seatbelt latchplate in the
seatbelt buckle is sensed, the seatbelt payout length is greater
than or equal to the first seatbelt payout length, an occupant is
determined to be present in the vehicle seat, after the presence of
the seatbelt latchplate in the seatbelt buckle is sensed the
occupant is present in the seat more than a time period threshold
and within a time period window.
18. The method of claim 15, further comprising determining at least
one of an improperly belted child restraint seat and an improperly
belted object when the presence of the seatbelt latchplate in the
seatbelt buckle is sensed, the seatbelt payout is greater than or
equal to the first seatbelt payout length threshold, an occupant is
determined to be present in the motor vehicle seat, after the
presence of the seatbelt latchplate in the seatbelt buckle is
sensed the occupant is not present in the seat more than a time
period threshold within a time period window and an automatic
locking retractor was not engaged after the seatbelt was
buckled.
19. The method of claim 15, further comprising determining at least
one of an improperly belted child restraint seat and an improperly
belted object when the presence of the seatbelt latchplate in the
seatbelt buckle is sensed, the seatbelt payout is greater than or
equal to the first seatbelt payout length threshold, an occupant is
determined to not be present in the vehicle seat, and an automatic
locking retractor was not engaged after the seatbelt was
buckled.
20. The method of claim 15, further comprising determining at least
one of a properly belted child restraint seat and a properly belted
object when the presence of the seatbelt latchplate in the seatbelt
buckle is sensed, the seatbelt payout length is greater than or
equal to the first seatbelt payout length threshold, an occupant is
present in the motor vehicle seat, when after the presence of the
seatbelt latchplate in the seatbelt buckle is sensed the occupant
was not present in the motor vehicle seat more than a time period
threshold within a time period window, an automatic locking
retractor was not engaged after the presence of the seatbelt
latchplate in the seatbelt buckle is sensed and when after buckling
the seatbelt payout length is increased by more than a first
predetermined seatbelt payout length threshold and less than a
second predetermined seatbelt payout length threshold within the
time period window.
Description
INTRODUCTION
The present disclosure relates to seatbelt retractor systems and
methods for detecting seatbelt webbing routing from a seatbelt
retractor to a seatbelt buckle.
Seatbelt systems for restraining occupants in a motor vehicle,
generally, employ seatbelt retractors. The seatbelt retractors have
a spool around which a seatbelt webbing is wound. The seatbelt
webbing may be unwound from the spool by a vehicle occupant and
secured around the vehicle occupant by inserting a latch plate
coupled to the seatbelt webbing into a seatbelt buckle. When not in
use the seatbelt retractor through the aid of a spring retracts the
seatbelt webbing into one or more retractor spools. Moreover,
seatbelt systems have employed a sensor in the seatbelt buckle to
determine whether an occupant is belted. If the occupant is
unbelted a warning is provided to the occupant to prompt the
occupant to buckle their seatbelt.
Thus, while current seatbelt systems achieve their intended
purpose, there is a need for a new and improved system and method
for securing vehicle occupants and child restraint seats with a
seatbelt. The new and improved method should be capable of
determining seatbelt routing and providing a warning to the vehicle
occupant or taking an appropriate ride action when incorrect
seatbelt routings are detected.
SUMMARY
According to several aspects, a system and method for detecting
seatbelt routing in a motor vehicle safety restraint system for a
motor vehicle seat is provided. The system includes a seatbelt
buckle sensor, an seatbelt payout sensor, an occupancy sensor, an
automatic locking retractor sensor and a control module. The
control module includes executable code to implement the method of
the present disclosure. The method includes sensing a presence of a
seatbelt latchplate in a seatbelt buckle. Further, the method
includes sensing a seatbelt payout length. Additionally, the method
includes comparing the seatbelt payout length to a first seatbelt
payout length threshold. Moreover, the method includes determining
seatbelt routing based on whether seatbelt latchplate is present in
the seatbelt buckle and the comparison of the seatbelt payout
length with the first seatbelt payout length threshold.
In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the
method further includes determining that a small person is properly
belted when the presence of the seatbelt latchplate in the seatbelt
buckle is sensed, the seatbelt payout length after the presence of
the seatbelt latchplate in the seatbelt buckle is sensed is less
than the first seatbelt payout length threshold after the presence
of the seatbelt latchplate in the seatbelt buckle is sensed.
In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the
method further includes determining that the motor vehicle safety
restraint system is not in use, when the presence of a seatbelt
latchplate in the seatbelt buckle is sensed, the seatbelt payout
length after the presence of a seatbelt latchplate in the seatbelt
buckle is sensed is between a second seatbelt payout length
threshold and a third seatbelt payout length threshold.
In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the
method further includes determining at least one of a small person
is improperly belted and a small object is properly belted, when
the presence of a seatbelt latchplate in the seatbelt buckle is
sensed, the seatbelt payout length after the presence of a seatbelt
latchplate in the seatbelt buckle is sensed is not between the
second seatbelt payout length threshold and the third seatbelt
payout length threshold, the seatbelt payout length after the
presence of a seatbelt latchplate in the seatbelt buckle is sensed
is not less than the third seatbelt payout length threshold and the
automatic locking retractor was engaged after the presence of a
seatbelt latchplate in the seatbelt buckle is sensed.
In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the
method further includes determining that at least one of a wrong
latchplate is inserted in the seatbelt buckle and a fake latch
plate is inserted in the seatbelt buckle, when the presence of a
seatbelt latchplate in the seatbelt buckle is sensed, and the
seatbelt payout length after the presence of a seatbelt latchplate
in the seatbelt buckle is sensed is less than the second seatbelt
payout length threshold.
In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the
method further includes determining whether an occupant is present
in the motor vehicle seat using an occupancy sensor.
In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the
method further includes determining at least one of an improperly
restrained large person and a properly restrained large object,
when the seatbelt is determined to be buckled, the seatbelt payout
is greater than or equal to the first seatbelt payout length
threshold, when an occupant is determined to be present in the
vehicle seat at the time of the latchplate is inserted into the
buckle, when after the presence of a seatbelt latchplate in the
seatbelt buckle is sensed the occupant is present in the motor
vehicle seat more than a time period threshold within a time period
window and the automatic locking retractor was engaged after the
presence of a seatbelt latchplate in the seatbelt buckle is
sensed.
In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the
method further includes determining at least one of a properly
belted large person and an improperly belted large object, when the
presence of a seatbelt latchplate in the seatbelt buckle is sensed,
the seatbelt payout length is greater than or equal to the first
seatbelt payout length, an occupant is determined to be present in
the vehicle seat, after the presence of the seatbelt latchplate in
the seatbelt buckle is sensed the occupant is present in the seat
more than the time period threshold and within the time period
window.
In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the
method further includes determining at least one of an improperly
belted child restraint seat and an improperly belted object when
the presence of the seatbelt latchplate in the seatbelt buckle is
sensed, the seatbelt payout is greater than or equal to the first
seatbelt payout length threshold, an occupant is determined to be
present in the motor vehicle seat, after the presence of the
seatbelt latchplate in the seatbelt buckle is sensed the occupant
is not present in the seat more than the time period threshold
within the time period window and the automatic locking retractor
was not engaged after the seatbelt was buckled.
In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the
method further includes determining at least one of an improperly
belted child restraint seat and an improperly belted object when
the presence of the seatbelt latchplate in the seatbelt buckle is
sensed, the seatbelt payout is greater than or equal to the first
seatbelt payout length threshold, an occupant is determined to not
be present in the vehicle seat, and the automatic locking retractor
was not engaged after the seatbelt was buckled.
In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the
method further includes determining at least one of a properly
belted child restraint seat and a properly belted object when the
presence of a seatbelt latchplate in the seatbelt buckle is sensed,
the seatbelt payout length is greater than or equal to the first
seatbelt payout length threshold, an occupant is present in the
motor vehicle seat, when after the presence of the seatbelt
latchplate in the seatbelt buckle is sensed the occupant was not
present in the motor vehicle seat more than a time period threshold
within a time period window, the automatic locking retractor was
not engaged after the presence of the seatbelt latchplate in the
seatbelt buckle is sensed and when after buckling the seatbelt
payout length is increased by more than the first predetermined
seatbelt payout length threshold and less than a second
predetermined seatbelt payout length threshold within a time period
window.
In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the
method further includes determining at least one of a child
restraint seat is properly restrained and an object is properly
restrained when the seatbelt is determined to be buckled, the
seatbelt payout length is greater than or equal to the first
seatbelt payout length threshold, when an occupant is not present
in the motor vehicle seat, the automatic locking retractor was not
engaged after the presence of the seatbelt latchplate in the
seatbelt buckle is sensed and after the presence of the seatbelt
latchplate in the seatbelt buckle is sensed the seatbelt payout
length increased by more than the first seatbelt payout length
threshold and less than a second seatbelt payout length threshold
within a time period window.
In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the
method further includes determining at least one of a child
restraint seat is properly restrained and an object is properly
restrained when the presence of the seatbelt latchplate in the
seatbelt buckle is sensed, the seatbelt payout length is greater
than or equal to the first seatbelt payout length threshold, an
occupant is present in the motor vehicle seat, after the presence
of the seatbelt latchplate in the seatbelt buckle is sensed the
occupant was not present in the seat more than a time period
threshold within a time period window, and the automatic locking
retractor was engaged after the presence of the seatbelt latchplate
in the seatbelt buckle is sensed.
In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the
method further includes determining at least one of a child
restraint seat is properly restrained and an object is properly
restrained when the presence of the seatbelt latchplate in the
seatbelt buckle is sensed, the seatbelt payout length is greater
than or equal to the first seatbelt payout length, when an occupant
is not present in the motor vehicle seat, and the automatic locking
retractor was engaged after the presence of the seatbelt latchplate
in the seatbelt buckle is sensed.
In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the
method further includes determining at least one of an improperly
belted small person and a properly belted small object, when the
presence of the seatbelt latchplate in the seatbelt buckle is
sensed, and after the presence of the seatbelt latchplate in the
seatbelt buckle is sensed the seatbelt payout length is less than a
second seatbelt payout length threshold.
In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the
method further includes determining an improperly belted child
restraint seat, when the seatbelt payout length is not greater than
or equal to the first seatbelt payout length threshold and a child
restraint seat is detected.
In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the
method further includes at least one of suppressing the deployment
of at least one restraint when a child restraint seat is present
and enabling the deployment of at least one restraint when a large
person is present in the motor vehicle seat.
In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the
method further includes determining whether an occupant measurement
has changed and determining when the occupant measurement is
outside an occupant measurement change threshold.
In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the
method further includes sensing seat movement and determining a
child restraint seat is improperly belted when the seatbelt payout
length has not been reduced by a second seatbelt payout length
threshold after an automatic locking retractor has been engaged and
determining a child restraint seat is properly belted when the
seatbelt payout length has been reduced by the second payout length
threshold after an automatic locking retractor has been
engaged.
In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the
first seatbelt payout length threshold is defined by a continuous
curve that varies from a first seatbelt payout length to a second
seatbelt payout length and from a first seat position to a second
seat position, wherein the second seatbelt payout length is greater
than the first seatbelt payout length and wherein the second seat
position is a different position than the first seat position.
In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the
first seatbelt payout length threshold is defined as a continuous
curve that varies from a first seatbelt payout length to a second
seatbelt payout length and from a first guideloop position to a
second guideloop position, wherein the second seatbelt payout
length is greater than the first seatbelt payout length and wherein
the second guideloop position is different than the first guideloop
position.
In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the
method further includes determining at least one of a small person
is improperly belted, and a small person is unbelted, when the
presence of a seatbelt latchplate in the seatbelt buckle is sensed,
the presence of a child is sensed, and the seatbelt payout length
after the presence of a seatbelt latchplate in the seatbelt buckle
is sensed is between a second seatbelt payout length threshold and
a third seatbelt payout length threshold.
Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the
description provided herein. It should be understood that the
description and specific examples are intended for purposes of
illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the
present disclosure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only
and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure
in any way.
FIG. 1A is a front perspective view of a vehicle seat and a safety
restraint system including a retractor mounted proximate the bottom
cushion of a vehicle seat, according to an exemplary
embodiment;
FIG. 1B is a front perspective view of a vehicle seat and a safety
restraint system including a shelf mount retractor, according to an
exemplary embodiment;
FIG. 1C is a front perspective view of a vehicle seat and a safety
restraint system including two retractors mounted proximate the
bottom cushion of a vehicle seat, according to an exemplary
embodiment;
FIG. 1D is a front perspective view of a vehicle seat and a safety
restraint system including a shelf mount retractor and a retractor
mounted proximate the bottom cushion of a vehicle seat, according
to an exemplary embodiment;
FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method for determining a
flowchart illustrating a method for detecting seatbelt routing for
a child, a child restraint seat and an occupant on the seat,
according to an exemplary embodiment;
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method for determining whether
a child restraint seat is present and proper seatbelt routing of
same, according to an exemplary embodiment;
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method for detecting when a
person is too small to be buckled into a seatbelt without a child
restraint seat, according to an exemplary embodiment;
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method for detecting an
improperly restrained child restraint seat, a buckled unused
seatbelt, according to an exemplary embodiment;
FIGS. 6 and 7 are a flowchart and chart illustrating a method and a
threshold for occupant measurement within a threshold corridor,
according to an exemplary embodiment;
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a method for determining whether
the seatbelt has tightened or loosened after an ALR has been
engaged, according to an exemplary embodiment;
FIGS. 9 and 10 are charts illustrating how the seatbelt payout
thresholds vary according to seat and guide loop movement,
according to an exemplary embodiment;
FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a method for determining a
seatbelt payout length and adjusting the thresholds after an
occupant has moved the vehicle seat, according to an exemplary
embodiment;
FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an alternate method for
determining a new seatbelt payout length and adjusting the
thresholds after an occupant has moved the vehicle seat, according
to an exemplary embodiment;
FIG. 13 a chart of the range of acceptable seatbelt payout lengths
is shown for a given seat movement in order to confirm that the
measured seatbelt payout length is correct, according to an
exemplary embodiment;
FIG. 14 a flowchart of a method for determining a seatbelt payout
length and adjusted thresholds after an occupant has moved the
guide loop, according to an exemplary embodiment;
FIG. 15 a flowchart of an alternate method for determining a
seatbelt payout and adjusted thresholds after an occupant has moved
the guide loop, according to an exemplary embodiment; and
FIG. 16 a chart illustrating the range of acceptable seatbelt
payout lengths for a given guide loop movement in order to confirm
that the measured payout length is correct, according to an
exemplary embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not
intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses.
Referring to FIG. 1A, a safety restraint system 10 for a motor
vehicle is illustrated, in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention. Safety restraint system 10 includes a seatbelt retractor
12, a seatbelt webbing 14, a guide loop 16, a latchplate 18, a
buckle 20, a seatbelt buckle sensor 22, an occupancy sensor 24, a
seatbelt webbing payout sensor 26 and an automatic locking
retractor (ALR) sensor 27. Seatbelt retractor 12 may include an
automatic locking mechanism and, thus, would be referred to as an
automatic locking retractor. If seatbelt retractor 12 contains an
ALR, seatbelt retractor 12 also includes ALR sensor 27 that senses
the engagement and disengagement of the automatic locking
mechanism. Seatbelt retractor 12 is fixed to a structural member of
the motor vehicle adjacent a vehicle seat 30. For example, seatbelt
retractor 12 is bolted to the base of the B-pillar 32 or other
structural member of the vehicle. Alternatively, the seat belt
retractor 12 may be integrated with and fixedly attached to the
base of the seat 30 of the motor vehicle. A frame 34 of seatbelt
retractor 12 is configured to rotatably support a spool 36 for
controlled rotation in the retractor 12.
A spring (not shown) is operatively attached to the retractor frame
34 at one end of the spring and to the spool 36 at another end of
the spring to retract the seatbelt webbing 14 onto the spool 36 and
into the retractor 12. The seatbelt webbing 14 is at least
partially wound around the spool 36 for storing the seatbelt
webbing 14 in the retractor 12 when the safety restraint system 10
is not in use. When the safety restraint system 10 is in use the
seatbelt webbing 14 is unwound from the spool 36 and pulled out of
the retractor 12 by a vehicle occupant. The seatbelt webbing 14 is
typically made of a woven fabric material such as woven nylon or
polyester.
The seatbelt webbing payout sensor 26 is in communication with the
retractor spool 36. Webbing payout sensor 26 is configured to sense
the rotation of the retractor spool 36. A control module or
microprocessor control system 38 receives a spool rotation signal
from the webbing payout sensor 26 and is configured to determine
the length of webbing payout from the rotation of the spool 36 of
the retractor 12. The seatbelt webbing payout sensor 26 may also be
used to detect the engagement or disengagement of the automatic
locking mechanism in the ALR.
Guide loop 16 is fixedly secured to the motor vehicle, generally,
towards the top of the B-pillar 32 of the motor vehicle. An
optional slot 40 is provided in guide loop 16 that receives and
slidably engages the seatbelt webbing 14. The seatbelt webbing 14
generally extends from the retractor 12 up and along the B-pillar
32 and is threaded or routed through guide loop 16 where the
seatbelt webbing 14 is directed down toward the base of the seat 30
and is secured at a terminal end 41 to a structural member of the
motor vehicle or to the seat 30.
The latchplate 18 has a slot 44 through which the seatbelt webbing
is threaded to slidably engage the latchplate 18 with the seatbelt
webbing 14. The latchplate 18 is located on the seatbelt webbing
14, generally, between the guide loop 16 and the terminal end 41 of
the seatbelt webbing 14. The buckle 20 is configured to releasably
capture the latchplate 18. Typically, latchplate 18 is pressed into
a slot 42 in buckle 20. After the latchplate 18 is fully inserted
into the buckle 20 the latchplate 18 is locked in the buckle 20. A
button on the buckle 20 is depressed to release the latchplate 18
from buckle 20.
The seatbelt buckle sensor 22 is provided in the seatbelt buckle
20. Buckle sensor 22 is configured to sense the presence of the
latchplate 18. Buckle sensor 22 transmits a control signal to the
microprocessor control system 38. The microprocessor control system
38 includes a control algorithm that receives the control signal
from the buckle sensor 22 and determines whether the latchplate 18
is present in the seatbelt buckle 20.
One or more occupancy sensors 24, 25 are provided to sense the
presence of an occupant in the vehicle seat 30. Occupancy sensor 24
is adjacent the vehicle seat 30. Occupancy sensor 25 is disposed in
the vehicle seat 30. Occupancy seat sensor 25 assess occupant
presence via different means such as one or more pressure pads,
weight pads, load cells, resistive pads and biometric sensors.
Occupancy sensor 24 would assess occupant presence via different
means, such as via one or more cameras, RADARs, ultra-sonic
sensors, infrared sensors, etc. Occupancy sensors 24, 25 are
configured to sense the presence of a vehicle occupant in the
vehicle seat 30. Each occupancy sensor 24, 25 transmits a control
signal to the microprocessor control system 38. The microprocessor
control system 38 includes a control algorithm that receives the
control signal from the occupancy sensors 24, 25 and determines
whether the occupant is present in the vehicle seat 30. Occupancy
sensors 24, 25 may detect certain objects as occupants. Occupancy
sensors 24, 25 may have one or more detection thresholds to
distinguish occupants from objects, detect the size of the occupant
and detect the location of the occupant relative to the seating
surface of vehicle seat 30.
FIGS. 1B, 10 and 1D show alternative seatbelt arrangements. FIG. 1B
shows a shelf mount location for the retractor 12 and the guide
loop 16 is mounted to or in proximity of the seat 30. FIGS. 10 and
1D show seatbelt systems with two retractors 12. One or both of the
retractors 12 have a webbing payout sensor 26. Each webbing payout
sensor 26 transmits a control signal to the microprocessor control
system 38. The latchplate 18 is sewn into seat belt webbing 14. For
embodiments having two webbing payout sensors 26, the method
utilizes the two measured payout lengths together. In one
embodiment of the present invention, a correction factor is
multiplied into one or both payout lengths to produce a more
accurate determination by the method of the present disclosure. In
another embodiment, systems with two payout sensors 26 the method
considers each of the payout lengths individually with different
thresholds and runs each routine separately for each sensor
input.
The present disclosure includes a plurality of algorithms or
methods for determining the seatbelt routing of safety restraint
system 10 based on the receipt and processing by microprocessor
control system 38 of the control signals from the seatbelt buckle
sensor 20, the occupancy sensors 24, 25 the seatbelt payout sensors
26 and the ALR sensor 27. Microprocessor control system 38 includes
computer memory to store the plurality of algorithms or methods.
Moreover, microprocessor control system 38 includes a processor to
execute the computer code that defines the plurality of algorithms
or methods. The plurality of algorithms or methods utilize the
control signals provided by the seatbelt buckle sensor 20, an
occupancy sensor 24, 25, seatbelt payout sensors 26 and the ALR
sensor 27 to determine the seatbelt routing, decide whether the
determined routing requires a message or a ride action and either
issue a message to the vehicle occupant or active a ride action.
The plurality of algorithms or methods are described herein
below.
Referring now to FIG. 2, a flowchart illustrating a method 100 for
detecting seatbelt routing for a child, a child restraint seat and
an occupant on the seat, in accordance with the present invention.
More specifically, method 100 is configured to determine a
plurality of seatbelt routing conditions such as an improperly
belted small occupant, a properly belted child restraint seat a
buckled unused seatbelt, a properly belted large occupant, and an
improperly belted large occupant for example. The method 100 starts
at block 102.
A small occupant is an occupant that has a seatbelt routing length
that is less than the routing length when a child restraint seat is
installed, for example, a child restraint seat with the shortest
routing. Depending on the type of vehicle, vehicle seat, occupant
proportions, clothing thickness, and seatbelt environment the small
occupant is about the size of a 3-year-old sized, 6-year-old sized,
or 10-year-old sized anthropomorphic test device (ATD). A large
occupant is an occupant that has a seatbelt routing length that is
the same or longer than the routing length when a child restraint
seat is installed. The large occupant is one occupant size larger
than the small occupant size as defined above. For example, if the
small occupant is determined to be the size of a 6-year-old ATD,
then the large occupant is determined to be the next larger size
ATD, for example, a 10-year-old ATD. A small object is an object
that has a seatbelt routing length approximate to the small
occupant's seatbelt routing length or shorter when the small object
has the seatbelt buckled around the small object. A large object is
an object that has seatbelt routing length approximate to the large
occupant's seatbelt routing length or longer when the large object
has the seatbelt buckled around the large object.
At block 104, a determination is made whether the seatbelt is
buckled. If the seatbelt is determined to not be buckled, then the
method 100 continues at block 103 to the next routing detection
algorithm or method 200. If the seatbelt is determined to be
buckled at block 104, then the method 100 continues at block 106
where a determination is made whether a seatbelt payout is equal to
or greater than a first payout length threshold. The first payout
length threshold may be adjusted based on seat movement or
guideloop movement. If at block 106, the seatbelt payout length is
not equal to or greater than the first payout length threshold,
then the method 100 continues at block 110 where a determination is
made whether the seatbelt payout length after buckling has been
reduced to a seatbelt payout length between a second seatbelt
payout length threshold and a third seatbelt payout length
threshold. The second seatbelt payout length threshold and the
third seatbelt payout length threshold may be adjusted based on
seat movement or guideloop position movement. If at block 110, a
determination is made that the seatbelt payout after buckling has
been reduced to a seatbelt payout length between the second
seatbelt payout length threshold and the third seatbelt payout
length threshold then the method 100 continues at block 112 where a
message is provided to the vehicle occupants, a ride action is
taken, and/or a measured stored static length, restraint/seat
status and occupant/child restraint seat (CRS)
classification/posture is stored.
Stored static length is determined when the seatbelt is buckled.
For example stored static length is: a) the actual payout length
when the seatbelt is buckled, b) the average payout length over a
predetermined time window starting at the time the seatbelt is
buckled, c) the minimum payout length over a predetermined time
window starting at the time of seatbelt buckling (to account for an
occupant leaning forward or twisting while or right after
buckling), d) the average or minimum payout length between a
predetermined time window that starts and stops at predetermined
times after buckling, e) the minimum payout length before the
seatbelt payout increases (or increases beyond a predetermined
amount), and alternatively limited to within a predetermined time
window after buckling, f) if the ALR function in the seatbelt
retractor has activated, then the stored static length is the
minimum payout length within a predetermined time window after ALR
activation, and g) if a buckled occupant is present in the vehicle
seat, any of the above stored static length determination methods
may be used to determine stored static length, however, the stored
static length is determined after the buckled occupant has
retracted the seatbelt to remove slack in the seatbelt webbing.
For the above enumerated examples, the window for determining the
stored static length is alternatively terminated once the rate of
seatbelt webbing retraction exceeds a predetermined rate threshold.
The message provided to the vehicle occupants are visual, audible,
haptic, or a combination thereof. For example, the messages and
ride actions that may be taken are: a) allowing the ride to
proceed, b) suppressing selected restraints from deploying, c)
warning the occupants that a buckled unused seatbelt has been
detected, d) instructing any occupant to unbuckle the seatbelt, e)
preventing the ride from starting, f) taking the vehicle and
parking the vehicle in a local low risk location, g) contacting the
home office that oversees the vehicle service to reset the system,
view the interior environment to assess the situation or dialogue
with the occupant and e) turning on a message icon, making a
dinging sound, playing an audible message, vibrating a seat or some
combination thereof. After block 112 the method continues to block
103.
The restraint/seat status and occupant/child restraint seat (CRS)
classification/posture classifications to be stored, for example,
are: a) large occupant who is of the size to wear the vehicle
seatbelt system, b) small occupant who is of the size to wear the
vehicle seatbelt system, c) small or smaller occupant who is in a
booster seat whose configuration requires usage of the vehicle
seatbelt system to restrain the child, d) small or smaller occupant
who is in a child restraint seat whose configuration requires usage
of the child restraint seatbelt system to restrain the child, e)
empty child restraint seat, f) an object, and g) an empty vehicle
seat. Occupancy sensors 24, 25 may be capable of distinguishing a
forward-facing child restraint from a rearward facing child
restraint. Moreover, occupancy sensors 24, 25 may be able to detect
individual classifications of occupants or specific groups of
classifications of occupants.
If at block 110, a determination is made whether the seatbelt
payout after buckling has been not reduced to a seatbelt payout
length between the second seatbelt payout length threshold and the
third seatbelt payout length threshold then the method 100
continues at block 116 where a determination is made whether the
seatbelt payout is less than the third seatbelt payout length
threshold. If at block 116, a determination is made that the
seatbelt payout is less than the third seatbelt payout length
threshold, then the method 100 continues at block 118 where a
message is provided to the vehicle occupants, a ride action is
taken, and/or a measured stored static length, restraint/seat
status and occupant/CRS classification/posture is stored. The
message provided to the vehicle occupants are visual, audible,
haptic, or a combination thereof. For example, the messages and
ride actions that may be taken are: a) warning the occupant that
the latchplate is buckled in the incorrect buckle, b) warning the
occupant that a fake latchplate is buckled in the buckle, c)
suppressing selected restraints, d) instructing the occupant to
unbuckle and re-buckle, e) instructing the adjacent occupant to
buckle into the correct buckle, f) preventing the ride from
starting, g) taking the vehicle and parking the vehicle in a local
low risk location, h) contacting the home office that oversees the
vehicle service to reset the system, view the interior environment
to assess the situation or dialogue with the occupant and i)
turning on a message icon, making a dinging sound, playing an
audible message, vibrating a seat or some combination thereof.
Parameters can be stored such as the occupant classification, the
stored static length of the seatbelt, the occupant posture, the
seatbelt buckle status, the seat location, the guide loop location,
and any decision to enable or suppress deployment of specific
restraints. After block 118 the method returns to block 102.
Alternately, after block 118 in another embodiment of the present
disclosure the method returns to block 103.
If at block 116 the seatbelt payout is not less than the third
seatbelt payout length threshold, then the method 100 continues at
block 122 where a determination is made whether an ALR has been
engaged after buckling. If a determination has been made that the
ALR has been engaged after buckling then the method 100 continues
at block 124 where a message is provided to the vehicle occupants,
a ride action is taken, and/or a measured stored static length,
restraint/seat status and occupant/CRS classification/posture is
stored. The message provided to the vehicle occupants are visual,
audible, haptic, or a combination thereof. For example, the
messages and ride actions that may be taken are: a) suppressing
selected restraints, b) warning that the automatic locking
retractor (ALR) function has been set for a small sized occupant,
c) instructing the occupant to unbuckle and re-buckle, d) warning
that a small occupant is not using a child restraint seat, e)
preventing the ride from starting, f) taking the vehicle and
parking the vehicle in a local low risk location, and g) remotely
resetting the system, h) viewing the interior environment to assess
the situation or dialogue with the occupant, i) enabling a ride
because a properly restrained object or child restraint is present,
and j) turning on a message icon, making an audible sound, playing
an audible message, vibrating a seat or some combination thereof.
Parameters can be stored such as the occupant classification, the
stored static length of the seatbelt, the occupant posture, the
seatbelt buckle status, the seat location, the guide loop location,
and any decision to enable or suppress deployment of specific
restraints. After block 124 the method returns to block 102.
Alternately, after block 124 in another embodiment of the present
disclosure the method returns to block 103.
If at block 122 a determination has been made that the ALR has not
been engaged after buckling then the method 100 continues at block
128 where a message is provided to the vehicle occupants, a ride
action is taken and/or a measured stored static length,
restraint/seat status and occupant/CRS classification/posture is
stored. For example, ride actions that may be taken are: a)
enabling a ride because a properly restrained small occupant is
present, b) messaging the occupant to inform them that they are
properly restrained, c) suppressing the deployment of selected
restraints, d) warning the occupants that an improperly restrained
object or child restraint seat is present, e) preventing the ride
from starting, f) taking the vehicle and parking the vehicle in a
local low risk location, g) remotely resetting the system, h)
viewing the interior environment to assess the situation or
dialogue with the occupant, and i) turning on a message icon,
making an audible sound, playing an audible message, vibrating a
seat or some combination thereof. Parameters can be stored such as
the occupant classification, the stored static length of the
seatbelt, the occupant posture, the seatbelt buckle status, the
seat location, the guide loop location, and any decision to enable
or suppress deployment of specific restraints. After block 128 the
method continues to block 103.
However, if in block 106, the seatbelt payout is equal to or
greater than the first seatbelt payout length threshold, then the
method 100 continues at block 130 where a determination is made
whether an occupant is present in the seat at the time of buckling.
If at block 130, a determination is made that an occupant is not
present in the seat at the time of buckling then the method 200
continues at block 132. If at block 130, a determination is made
that an occupant is present in the seat at the time of buckling
then the method 100 continues at block 134. At block 134, a
determination is made whether an occupant is not present in the
vehicle seat for more than a predetermined time within a
predetermined time window. If at block 134, a determination is made
that an occupant is not present in the vehicle seat for more than a
predetermined time within a predetermined time window then the
method continues to block 132. However, if at block 134, a
determination is made that an occupant is present in the vehicle
seat for more than a predetermined time within a predetermined time
window then the method continues to block 136 where a determination
is made whether the ALR has been engaged after buckling. If at
block 136 a determination has been made that the ALR has been
engaged after buckling then the method 100 continues at block 138
where a ride action is taken and/or a measured stored static
length, restraint/seat status and occupant/CRS
classification/posture is stored. For example, ride actions that
may be taken are: a) enabling a ride because a properly restrained
large occupant is present, b) messaging the occupant to inform them
that they are properly restrained, c) enabling the deployment of
selected restraints, d) warning the occupants that an improperly
restrained object or possibly child restraint seat is present, e)
preventing the ride from starting, f) taking the vehicle and
parking the vehicle in a local low risk location, g) remotely
resetting the system, h) viewing the interior environment to assess
the situation or dialogue with the occupant, and i) turning on a
message icon, making an audible sound, playing an audible message,
vibrating a seat or some combination thereof. Parameters can be
stored such as the occupant classification, the stored static
length of the seatbelt, the occupant posture, the seatbelt buckle
status, the seat location, the guide loop location, and any
decision to enable or suppress deployment of specific restraints.
After block 138 the method continues to block 103.
However, if at block 136 a determination has been made that the ALR
has been engaged after buckling then the method 100 continues at
block 140 where a message is provided to the vehicle occupants, a
ride action is taken, and/or a measured stored static length,
restraint/seat status and occupant/CRS classification/posture is
stored. The message provided to the vehicle occupants are visual,
audible, haptic, or a combination thereof. For example, the
messages and ride actions that may be taken are: a) warning that
the ALR has been set for an occupant, b) enabling selected
restraints, c) warning that the automatic locking retractor (ALR)
function has been set for a large sized occupant, d) instructing
the occupant to unbuckle and re-buckle, e) preventing the ride from
starting, f) taking the vehicle and parking the vehicle in a local
low risk location, and g) remotely resetting the system, h) viewing
the interior environment to assess the situation or dialogue with
the occupant, i) enabling a ride because a properly object or
possibly child restraint is present, and j) turning on a message
icon, making an audible sound, playing an audible message,
vibrating a seat or some combination thereof. Parameters can be
stored such as the occupant classification, the stored static
length of the seatbelt, the occupant posture, the seatbelt buckle
status, the seat location, the guide loop location, and any
decision to enable or suppress deployment of specific restraints.
After block 140 the method returns to block 102. Alternately, after
block 140 in another embodiment of the present disclosure the
method returns to block 103.
From block 132 the method continues to block 160 where a
determination is made whether the ALR has been engaged after
buckling. If the determination is made that the ALR has been
engaged after buckling, then the method 100 continues at block 162
where a ride action is taken and/or a measured stored static
length, restraint/seat status and occupant/CRS
classification/posture is stored. For example, ride actions that
may be taken are: a) enabling a ride because a properly restrained
child restraint seat is present, b) messaging the occupants to
inform them that the child restraint seat is properly restrained
and optionally reminding them to properly buckle the child into the
child restraint seatbelt system, c) suppressing the deployment of
selected restraints, and d) turning on a message icon, making an
audible sound, playing an audible message, vibrating a seat or some
combination thereof. Parameters can be stored such as the occupant
classification, the stored static length of the seatbelt, the
occupant posture, the seatbelt buckle status, the seat location,
the guide loop location, and any decision to enable or suppress
deployment of specific restraints. After block 162 the method
proceeds to block 103.
However, if at block 160, a determination is made that the ALR has
not been engaged after buckling then the method 100 continues at
block 164. At block 164, a determination is made whether after
buckling is the seatbelt payout increased by a fourth seatbelt
payout length threshold to a fifth seatbelt payout length threshold
within a predetermined time period. If at block 164, a
determination is made that after buckling the seatbelt payout has
not increased by the fourth seatbelt payout length threshold to the
fifth seatbelt payout length threshold within a predetermined time
period then the method 100 continues to block 166. At block 166, a
message is provided to the vehicle occupants, a ride action is
taken, and/or a measured stored static length, restraint/seat
status and occupant/CRS classification/posture is stored. The
message provided to the vehicle occupants are visual, audible,
haptic, or a combination thereof. For example, the messages and
ride actions that may be taken are: a) warning that the child
restraint seat hasn't been locked down to the seatbelt via an ALR
or a child restraint seat lockoff device, b) suppressing selected
restraints, c) instructing that the child restraint be reinstalled,
d) preventing the ride from starting, e) taking the vehicle and
parking the vehicle in a local low risk location, f) remotely
resetting the system, g) viewing the interior environment to assess
the situation or dialogue with the occupant and h) turning on a
message icon, making an audible sound, playing an audible message,
vibrating a seat or some combination thereof. Parameters can be
stored such as the occupant classification, the stored static
length of the seatbelt, the CRS classification, the occupant
posture, the seatbelt buckle status, the seat location, the guide
loop location, and any decision to enable or suppress deployment of
specific restraints. After block 166 the method returns to block
102. Alternately, after block 166 in another embodiment of the
present disclosure the method returns to block 103.
However, if at block 164, a determination is made that after
buckling the seatbelt payout has increased by the fourth seatbelt
payout length threshold to the fifth seatbelt payout length
threshold within a predetermined time period then the method 100
continues to block 168. At block 168, a ride action is taken and/or
a measured stored static length, restraint/seat status and
occupant/CRS classification/posture is stored. For example, ride
actions that may be taken are: a) enabling a ride because a
properly restrained child restraint seat is present, b) messaging
the occupants to inform them that the child restraint seat is
properly restrained and optionally reminding them to properly
buckle the child into the child restraint seatbelt system, c)
suppressing the deployment of selected restraints, and d) turning
on a message icon, making an audible sound, playing an audible
message, vibrating a seat or some combination thereof. Parameters
can be stored such as the occupant classification, the stored
static length of the seatbelt, the occupant posture, the seatbelt
buckle status, the seat location, the guide loop location, and any
decision to enable or suppress deployment of specific restraints.
After block 168 the method proceeds to block 103.
Referring now to FIG. 3, a flowchart illustrating a method 200 for
detecting seatbelt routing, in accordance with the present
invention. The method 200 starts at block 132 of method 100 and
continues to block 250 where a determination is made whether a
child restraint seat is present. If a child restraint seat is
present, then the method continues to block to block 260 where a
determination is made whether the ALR has been engaged after
buckling. If the determination is made that the ALR has been
engaged after buckling, then the method 200 continues at block 262
where a ride action is taken and/or a measured stored static
length, restraint/seat status and occupant/CRS
classification/posture is stored. For example, ride actions that
may be taken are: a) enabling a ride because a properly restrained
child restraint seat is present, b) messaging the occupants to
inform them that the child restraint seat is properly restrained
and optionally reminding them to properly buckle the child into the
child restraint seatbelt system, c) suppressing the deployment of
selected restraints, and d) turning on a message icon, making an
audible sound, playing an audible message, vibrating a seat or some
combination thereof. Parameters can be stored such as the occupant
classification, the stored static length of the seatbelt, the
occupant posture, the seatbelt buckle status, the seat location,
the guide loop location, and any decision to enable or suppress
deployment of specific restraints. After block 262 the method
continues to block 103.
However, if at block 260, a determination is made that the ALR has
not been engaged after buckling then the method 200 continues at
block 264. At block 264, a determination is made whether after
buckling is the seatbelt payout length increased to a sixth
seatbelt payout length threshold within a predetermined time
period. If at block 264, a determination is made that after
buckling the seatbelt payout length has not increased to the sixth
seatbelt payout length threshold within a predetermined time period
then the method 200 continues to block 266. At block 266, a message
is provided to the vehicle occupants, a ride action is taken,
and/or a measured stored static length, restraint/seat status and
occupant/CRS classification/posture is stored. The message provided
to the vehicle occupants are visual, audible, haptic, or a
combination thereof. For example, the messages and ride actions
that may be taken are: a) warning that the child restraint seat
hasn't been locked down to the seatbelt via an ALR or a child
restraint seat lockoff device, b) suppressing selected restraints,
c) instructing that the child restraint be reinstalled, d)
preventing the ride from starting, e) taking the vehicle and
parking the vehicle in a local low risk location, f) remotely
resetting the system, g) viewing the interior environment to assess
the situation or dialogue with the occupant and h) turning on a
message icon, making an audible sound, playing an audible message,
vibrating a seat or some combination thereof. Parameters can be
stored such as the occupant classification, the stored static
length of the seatbelt, the CRS classification, the occupant
posture, the seatbelt buckle status, the seat location, the guide
loop location, and any decision to enable or suppress deployment of
specific restraints. After block 266 the method returns to block
102. Alternately, after block 266 in another embodiment of the
present disclosure the method returns to block 103.
However, if at block 264, a determination is made that after
buckling the seatbelt payout has increased to the sixth seatbelt
payout length threshold within a predetermined time period then the
method 200 continues to block 268. At block 268, a ride action is
taken and/or a measured stored static length, restraint/seat status
and occupant/CRS classification/posture is stored. For example,
ride actions that may be taken are: a) enabling a ride because a
properly restrained child restraint seat is present, b) messaging
the occupants to inform them that the child restraint seat is
properly restrained and optionally reminding them to properly
buckle the child into the child restraint seatbelt system, c)
suppressing the deployment of selected restraints, and d) turning
on a message icon, making an audible sound, playing an audible
message, vibrating a seat or some combination thereof. Parameters
can be stored such as the occupant classification, the stored
static length of the seatbelt, the occupant posture, the seatbelt
buckle status, the seat location, the guide loop location, and any
decision to enable or suppress deployment of specific restraints.
After block 268 the method continues to block 103.
If at block 250, a child restraint seat is not present, then the
method continues to block 270 where a determination is made whether
the ALR has been engaged after buckling. If the determination is
made that the ALR has been engaged after buckling, then the method
200 continues at block 272 where a ride action is taken and/or a
measured stored static length, restraint/seat status and
occupant/CRS classification/posture is stored. For example, ride
actions that may be taken are: a) enabling a ride because a
properly restrained child restraint seat is present, b) messaging
the occupants to inform them that the child restraint seat is
properly restrained and optionally reminding them to properly
buckle the child into the child restraint seatbelt system, c)
suppressing the deployment of selected restraints, and d) turning
on a message icon, making an audible sound, playing an audible
message, vibrating a seat or some combination thereof. Parameters
can be stored such as the occupant classification, the stored
static length of the seatbelt, the occupant posture, the seatbelt
buckle status, the seat location, the guide loop location, and any
decision to enable or suppress deployment of specific restraints.
After block 272 the method continues to block 103.
However, if at block 270, a determination is made that the ALR has
not been engaged after buckling then the method 200 continues to
block 276. At block 276, a message is provided to the vehicle
occupants, a ride action is taken, and/or a measured stored static
length, restraint/seat status and occupant/CRS
classification/posture is stored. The message provided to the
vehicle occupants are visual, audible, haptic, or a combination
thereof. For example, the messages and ride actions that may be
taken are: a) warning that the child restraint seat hasn't been
locked down to the seatbelt via an ALR or a child restraint seat
lockoff device, b) suppressing selected restraints, c) instructing
that the child restraint be reinstalled, d) preventing the ride
from starting, e) taking the vehicle and parking the vehicle in a
local low risk location, f) remotely resetting the system, g)
viewing the interior environment to assess the situation or
dialogue with the occupant and h) turning on a message icon, making
an audible sound, playing an audible message, vibrating a seat or
some combination thereof. Parameters can be stored such as the
occupant classification, the stored static length of the seatbelt,
the CRS classification, the occupant posture, the seatbelt buckle
status, the seat location, the guide loop location, and any
decision to enable or suppress deployment of specific restraints.
After block 276 the method returns to block 102. Alternately, after
block 276 in another embodiment of the present disclosure the
method returns to block 103.
Referring now to FIG. 4, a flowchart illustrating a method 300 for
detecting when a person is too small to be buckled into a seatbelt
without a child restraint seat. The method 300 starts at block 116
of method 100 which is referenced as block 316 of method 300. If at
block 316, the seatbelt payout length is not less than the third
seatbelt payout length threshold, then the method 300 continues at
block 311 where a determination is made whether the seatbelt payout
is less than a seventh seatbelt payout length threshold. If at
block 311, the seatbelt payout is less than the seventh seatbelt
payout length threshold, then the method 300 continues at block 313
where a determination is made whether an ALR has been engaged after
buckling. The seventh seatbelt payout length threshold is the
threshold to detect if the seatbelt payout length indicates that a
very small occupant is present and who should be in a child
restraint seat. If a determination has been made that the ALR has
been engaged after buckling then the method 300 continues at block
315 where a message is provided to the vehicle occupants, a ride
action is taken, and/or a measured stored static length,
restraint/seat status and occupant/CRS classification/posture is
stored. The message provided to the vehicle occupants are visual,
audible, haptic, or a combination thereof. For example, the
messages and ride actions that may be taken are: a) suppressing
selected restraints, b) warning that a small sized occupant should
be using a child restraint seat, c) instructing the occupant to use
a properly attached child restraint seat, d) warning that an ALR
has been set, e) preventing the ride from starting, f) taking the
vehicle and parking the vehicle in a local low risk location, g)
remotely resetting the system, h) viewing the interior environment
to assess the situation or dialogue with the occupant, and i)
turning on a message icon, making an audible sound, playing an
audible message, vibrating a seat or some combination thereof.
Parameters can be stored such as the occupant classification, the
stored static length of the seatbelt, the occupant posture, the
seatbelt buckle status, the seat location, the guide loop location,
and any decision to enable or suppress deployment of specific
restraints. After block 315 the method returns to block 102.
Alternately, after block 315 in another embodiment of the present
disclosure the method returns to block 103.
If at block 313 a determination has been made that the ALR has not
been engaged after buckling then the method 300 continues at block
317 where a message is provided to the vehicle occupants, a ride
action is taken, and/or a measured stored static length,
restraint/seat status and occupant/CRS classification/posture is
stored. The message provided to the vehicle occupants are visual,
audible, haptic, or a combination thereof. For example, the
messages and ride actions that may be taken are: a) suppressing
selected restraints, b) warning that a small sized occupant should
be using a child restraint seat, c) instructing the occupant to use
a properly attached child restraint seat, d) preventing the ride
from starting, e) taking the vehicle and parking the vehicle in a
local low risk location, f) remotely resetting the system, g)
viewing the interior environment to assess the situation or
dialogue with the occupant, and h) turning on a message icon,
making an audible sound, playing an audible message, vibrating a
seat or some combination thereof. Parameters can be stored such as
the occupant classification, the stored static length of the
seatbelt, the occupant posture, the seatbelt buckle status, the
seat location, the guide loop location, and any decision to enable
or suppress deployment of specific restraints. After block 317 the
method returns to block 102. Alternately, after block 317 in
another embodiment of the present disclosure the method returns to
block 103. Alternatively, block 313 may be skipped so that method
300 goes from block 311 to block 317.
If at block 311, the seatbelt payout is not less than the seventh
seatbelt payout length threshold, indicating that a small occupant
of proper size to be wearing a seatbelt is present, then the method
300 returns to block 322 and proceeds as defined by block 122 of
method 100.
Referring now to FIG. 5, a flowchart illustrating a method 400 for
detecting an improperly restrained child restraint seat, a buckled
unused seatbelt, a seatbelt for an adjacent seating position is
buckled into this seating position's buckle, a fake latch plate,
and a restrained object, in accordance with the present invention.
The method 400 starts at block 106 of method 100, herein referred
to as block 406. At block 406, a determination is made whether a
seatbelt payout length is greater or equal to the first seatbelt
payout length threshold. If at block 406 a determination is made
that the seatbelt payout length is not greater or equal to the
first seatbelt payout length threshold, then the method 400
continues to block 407. At block 407 a determination is made
whether a child restraint seat is present in the seat. If at block
407 a determination is made that a child restraint seat is present
in the vehicle seat then the method 400 continues at block 474. At
block 474 a message is provided to the vehicle occupants, a ride
action is taken, and/or a measured stored static length,
restraint/seat status and occupant/CRS classification/posture is
stored. The message provided to the vehicle occupants are visual,
audible, haptic, or a combination thereof. For example, the
messages and ride actions that may be taken are: a) warning that
the child restraint seat hasn't been properly installed, b)
suppressing selected restraints, c) instructing that the child
restraint be installed properly, d) preventing the ride from
starting, e) taking the vehicle and parking the vehicle in a local
low risk location, f) remotely resetting the system, g) viewing the
interior environment to assess the situation or dialogue with the
occupant and h) turning on a message icon, making an audible sound,
playing an audible message, vibrating a seat or some combination
thereof. Parameters can be stored such as the occupant
classification, the stored static length of the seatbelt, the
occupant posture, the seatbelt buckle status, the seat location,
the guide loop location, and any decision to enable or suppress
deployment of specific restraints. After block 474 the method
returns to block 102. Alternately, after block 474 in another
embodiment of the present disclosure the method returns to block
103.
In yet another alternative, if at block 406, a determination is
made that the seatbelt payout length is not greater or equal to the
first seatbelt payout length threshold, then the method 400 can
skip block 407 and can continue at block 409.
However, if at block 407 a determination is made that a child
restraint seat is not present in the vehicle seat then the method
400 continues to block 409. At block 409, a determination is made
whether a child is present in the vehicle seat.
If at block 409 a child is determined to not be present in the
vehicle seat, then the method 400 continues at block 476 where a
determination is made whether the seatbelt payout after buckling
has been reduced to a seatbelt payout length between an eighth
seatbelt payout length threshold and a ninth seatbelt payout length
threshold. If at block 476 a determination is made that the
seatbelt payout after buckling has been reduced to the seatbelt
payout length between the eighth seatbelt payout length threshold
and the ninth seatbelt payout length threshold, a buckled unused
seatbelt may be present that may or may not be a lazy seatbelt that
doesn't fully retract, then the method 400 continues at block 478.
At block 478 a ride action is taken, and/or a measured stored
static length, restraint/seat status and occupant/CRS
classification/posture is stored. For example, the messages and
ride actions that may be taken are: a) allowing the ride to
proceed, b) suppressing selected restraints from deploying, c)
warning the occupants that a buckled unused seatbelt has been
detected, d) instructing any occupant to unbuckle the seatbelt, e)
preventing the ride from starting, f) taking the vehicle and
parking the vehicle in a local low risk location, g) contacting the
home office that oversees the vehicle service to reset the system,
view the interior environment to assess the situation or dialogue
with the occupant and e) turning on a message icon, making a
dinging sound, playing an audible message, vibrating a seat or some
combination thereof. Parameters can be stored such as the occupant
classification, the stored static length of the seatbelt, the
occupant posture, the seatbelt buckle status, the seat location,
the guide loop location, and any decision to enable or suppress
deployment of specific restraints. After block 478 the method
continues to block 103.
However, if at block 476 a determination is made that the seatbelt
payout after buckling has not been reduced to a seatbelt payout
length between the eighth seatbelt payout length threshold and the
ninth seatbelt payout length threshold then the method 400
continues at block 480. At block 480, a determination is made
whether the seatbelt payout is less than the ninth seatbelt payout
length threshold. If at block 480 a determination is made that the
seatbelt payout is less than the ninth seatbelt payout length
threshold, a fake latch plate may be present or an adjacent
seatbelt latch plate could be present, then the method 400
continues at block 482 where a message is provided to the vehicle
occupants, a ride action is taken, and/or a measured stored static
length, restraint/seat status and occupant/CRS
classification/posture is stored. The message provided to the
vehicle occupants are visual, audible, haptic, or a combination
thereof. For example, the messages and ride actions that may be
taken are: a) warning the occupant that the latchplate is buckled
in to the incorrect buckle, b) warning the occupant that a fake
latchplate is buckled into the buckle, c) suppressing selected
restraints, d) instructing the occupant to unbuckle and re-buckle,
e) instructing the adjacent occupant to buckle into the correct
buckle, f) preventing the ride from starting, g) taking the vehicle
and parking the vehicle in a local low risk location, h) contacting
the home office that oversees the vehicle service to reset the
system, view the interior environment to assess the situation or
dialogue with the occupant and i) turning on a message icon, making
a dinging sound, playing an audible message, vibrating a seat or
some combination thereof. Parameters can be stored such as the
occupant classification, the stored static length of the seatbelt,
the occupant posture, the seatbelt buckle status, the seat
location, the guide loop location, and any decision to enable or
suppress deployment of specific restraints. After block 482 the
method returns to block 102. Alternately, after block 482 in
another embodiment of the present disclosure the method returns to
block 103.
However, if at block 480 a determination is made that the seatbelt
payout is not less than the ninth seatbelt payout length threshold
then method 400 proceeds to block 484 where a determination is made
whether an ALR has been engaged after buckling. If at block 484 a
determination has been made that the ALR has been engaged after
buckling, indicating that a belted object is present, then the
method 400 continues at block 486 where a message is provided to
the vehicle occupants, a ride action is taken, and/or a measured
stored static length, restraint/seat status and occupant/CRS
classification/posture is stored. For example, ride actions that
may be taken are: a) enabling a ride because a properly restrained
small occupant is present, b) messaging the occupant to inform them
that they are properly restrained, c) suppressing the deployment of
selected restraints, d) remotely resetting the system, e) viewing
the interior environment to assess the situation or dialogue with
the occupant, and f) turning on a message icon, making an audible
sound, playing an audible message, vibrating a seat or some
combination thereof. Parameters can be stored such as the occupant
classification, the stored static length of the seatbelt, the
occupant posture, the seatbelt buckle status, the seat location,
the guide loop location, and any decision to enable or suppress
deployment of specific restraints. After block 482 the method
continues to block 103.
If at block 484 a determination has been made that the ALR has not
been engaged after buckling, indicating an improperly belted
object, then the method 400 continues at block 486 where a message
is provided to the vehicle occupants, a ride action is taken,
and/or a measured stored static length, restraint/seat status and
occupant/CRS classification/posture is stored. The message provided
to the vehicle occupants are visual, audible, haptic, or a
combination thereof. For example, ride actions that may be taken
are: a) warning the occupants that an improperly restrained object
or child restraint seat is present, b) preventing the ride from
starting, c) taking the vehicle and parking the vehicle in a local
low risk location, d) remotely resetting the system, e) viewing the
interior environment to assess the situation or dialogue with the
occupant, and f) turning on a message icon, making an audible
sound, playing an audible message, vibrating a seat or some
combination thereof. Parameters can be stored such as the occupant
classification, the stored static length of the seatbelt, the
occupant posture, the seatbelt buckle status, the seat location,
the guide loop location, and any decision to enable or suppress
deployment of specific restraints. After block 486 the method
returns to block 102. Alternately, after block 486 in another
embodiment of the present disclosure the method returns to block
103.
If at block 484 a determination has been made that the ALR has been
engaged after buckling, indicating a properly belted object, then
the method 400 continues at block 488 where a message is provided
to the vehicle occupants, a ride action is taken, and/or a measured
stored static length, restraint/seat status and occupant/CRS
classification/posture is stored. The message provided to the
vehicle occupants are visual, audible, haptic, or a combination
thereof. For example, ride actions that may be taken are: a)
messaging the occupants that a properly restrained object or child
restraint seat is present, b) enabling the ride from starting, c)
remotely resetting the system, d) viewing the interior environment
to assess the situation or dialogue with the occupant, and e)
turning on a message icon, making an audible sound, playing an
audible message, vibrating a seat or some combination thereof.
Parameters can be stored such as the occupant classification, the
stored static length of the seatbelt, the occupant posture, the
seatbelt buckle status, the seat location, the guide loop location,
and any decision to enable or suppress deployment of specific
restraints. After block 488 the method returns to block 103.
If at block 409 a determination is made that a child is present in
the vehicle seat, then the method continues at block 490 where a
determination is made whether the seatbelt payout length after
buckling has been reduced to a seatbelt payout length between a
tenth seatbelt payout length threshold and a eleventh seatbelt
payout length threshold. The tenth seatbelt payout length threshold
and the eleventh seatbelt payout length threshold may be adjusted
based on seat movement or guideloop position movement. If at block
490, a determination is made that the seatbelt payout length after
buckling has been reduced to a seatbelt payout length between the
tenth seatbelt payout length threshold and the eleventh seatbelt
payout length threshold then the method 400 continues at block 491
where a message is provided to the vehicle occupants, a ride action
is taken, and/or a measured stored static length, restraint/seat
status and occupant/CRS classification/posture is stored. The
message provided to the vehicle occupants are visual, audible,
haptic, or a combination thereof. For example, the messages and
ride actions that may be taken are: a) suppressing selected
restraints, b) warning that an occupant is not wearing the seatbelt
or is only wearing the seatbelt across a portion of the body, c)
instructing the occupant to unbuckle and re-buckle, d) warning that
a small occupant is not using a child restraint seat, e) preventing
the ride from starting, f) taking the vehicle and parking the
vehicle in a local low risk location, and g) remotely resetting the
system, h) viewing the interior environment to assess the situation
or dialogue with the occupant, and i) turning on a message icon,
making an audible sound, playing an audible message, vibrating a
seat or some combination thereof. Parameters can be stored such as
the occupant classification, the stored static length of the
seatbelt, the occupant posture, the seatbelt buckle status, the
seat location, the guide loop location, and any decision to enable
or suppress deployment of specific restraints. After block 491 the
method returns to block 102. Alternately, after block 491 in
another embodiment of the present disclosure the method returns to
block 103.
If at block 490, a determination is made that the seatbelt payout
after buckling has not been reduced to a seatbelt payout length
between the tenth seatbelt payout length threshold and the eleventh
seatbelt payout length threshold then the method 400 continues at
block 492 where a determination is made whether the seatbelt payout
is less than the eleventh seatbelt payout length threshold. If at
block 492, a determination is made that the seatbelt payout length
is less than the eleventh seatbelt payout length threshold, then
the method 400 continues at block 493 where a message is provided
to the vehicle occupants, a ride action is taken, and/or a measured
stored static length, restraint/seat status and occupant/CRS
classification/posture is stored. The message provided to the
vehicle occupants are visual, audible, haptic, or a combination
thereof. For example, the messages and ride actions that may be
taken are: a) warning the occupant that the latchplate is buckled
in the incorrect buckle, b) warning the occupant that a fake
latchplate is buckled in the buckle, c) suppressing selected
restraints, d) instructing the occupant to unbuckle and re-buckle,
e) instructing the adjacent occupant to buckle into the correct
buckle, f) preventing the ride from starting, g) taking the vehicle
and parking the vehicle in a local low risk location, h) contacting
the home office that oversees the vehicle service to reset the
system, view the interior environment to assess the situation or
dialogue with the occupant and i) turning on a message icon, making
a dinging sound, playing an audible message, vibrating a seat or
some combination thereof. Parameters can be stored such as the
occupant classification, the stored static length of the seatbelt,
the occupant posture, the seatbelt buckle status, the seat
location, the guide loop location, and any decision to enable or
suppress deployment of specific restraints. After block 493 the
method returns to block 102. Alternately, after block 493 in
another embodiment of the present disclosure the method returns to
block 103.
If at block 492 the seatbelt payout is not less than the eleventh
seatbelt payout length threshold, then the method 400 continues at
block 494 where a determination is made whether an ALR has been
engaged after buckling. If a determination has been made that the
ALR has been engaged after buckling then the method 400 continues
at block 495 where a message is provided to the vehicle occupants,
a ride action is taken, and/or a measured stored static length,
restraint/seat status and occupant/CRS classification/posture is
stored. The message provided to the vehicle occupants are visual,
audible, haptic, or a combination thereof. For example, the
messages and ride actions that may be taken are: a) suppressing
selected restraints, b) warning that the automatic locking
retractor (ALR) function has been set for a small sized occupant,
c) instructing the occupant to unbuckle and re-buckle, d) warning
that a small occupant is not using a child restraint seat, e)
preventing the ride from starting, f) taking the vehicle and
parking the vehicle in a local low risk location, and g) remotely
resetting the system, h) viewing the interior environment to assess
the situation or dialogue with the occupant, i) enabling a ride
because a properly restrained object or child restraint is present,
and j) turning on a message icon, making an audible sound, playing
an audible message, vibrating a seat or some combination thereof.
Parameters can be stored such as the occupant classification, the
stored static length of the seatbelt, the occupant posture, the
seatbelt buckle status, the seat location, the guide loop location,
and any decision to enable or suppress deployment of specific
restraints. After block 495 the method returns to block 102.
Alternately, after block 495 in another embodiment of the present
disclosure the method returns to block 103.
If at block 494 a determination has been made that the ALR has not
been engaged after buckling then the method 400 continues at block
496 where a message is provided to the vehicle occupants, a ride
action is taken and/or a measured stored static length,
restraint/seat status and occupant/CRS classification/posture is
stored. For example, ride actions that may be taken are: a)
enabling a ride because a properly restrained small occupant is
present, b) messaging the occupant to inform them that they are
properly restrained, c) suppressing the deployment of selected
restraints, d) warning the occupants that an improperly restrained
object or child restraint seat is present, e) preventing the ride
from starting, f) taking the vehicle and parking the vehicle in a
local low risk location, g) remotely resetting the system, h)
viewing the interior environment to assess the situation or
dialogue with the occupant, and i) turning on a message icon,
making an audible sound, playing an audible message, vibrating a
seat or some combination thereof. Parameters can be stored such as
the occupant classification, the stored static length of the
seatbelt, the occupant posture, the seatbelt buckle status, the
seat location, the guide loop location, and any decision to enable
or suppress deployment of specific restraints. After block 496 the
method continues to block 103.
Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, a flowchart and chart illustrating
a method 500 and a threshold for occupant measurement within a
threshold corridor. The method starts at block 130 of method 100,
referred to as block 530 of method 500, where a determination is
made whether an occupant is present in the vehicle seat at the time
of buckling. If at block 530 a determination is made that an
occupant is not present in the vehicle seat at the time of
buckling, then the method continues at block 132 of method 100.
However, if at block 530 a determination is made that an occupant
is present in the vehicle seat at the time of buckling then the
method 500 continues at block 534. At block 534 a determination is
made whether the occupant measurements have changed beyond the
corridor 606 shown in FIG. 7. As shown in FIG. 7, the corridor 606
is defined by a lower limit of an amount or rate of occupant
measurement change 608 to an upper limit of an amount or rate of
occupant measurement change 610 over a predefined time threshold
612. The rate of occupant measurement change can be related to
sensed mass, size, volume, location and alike of the occupant.
If at block 534, a determination is made that the occupant
measurements have changed beyond the corridor 606, then method 500
continues to block 132 of method 100. However, if at block 534 a
determination is made that the occupant measurements have not
changed beyond the corridor 606, then the method 500 continues to
block 136 of method 100 where a determination is made whether the
ALR has been engaged after buckling. As an alternative, if at block
530 a determination is made that an occupant is present in the
vehicle seat at the time of buckling then the method 500 skips
block 534 and continues at block 136.
Referring now to FIG. 8, a flowchart illustrating a method 600 for
determining whether the seatbelt has tightened or loosened after an
ALR has been engaged. The method starts at block 160 of method 100,
referred to as block 660 of method 600 where a determination is
made whether the ALR has been engaged after buckling. If at block
660 a determination is made that the ALR has been engaged after
buckling, then the method 600 continues at block 662. At block 662
a determination is made whether the seatbelt has loosened. For
example, sensors that monitor seat movement may be used to
determine if the seat has moved and then seatbelt loosening can be
inferred. Alternatively, a seatbelt tension sensor may be used to
determine if the seatbelt has loosened. If at block 662 a
determination is made that the seatbelt has loosened, then the
method 600 continues at block 663. At block 663 a message is
provided to the vehicle occupants, a ride action is taken, and/or a
measured stored static length, restraint/seat status and
occupant/child restraint seat classification/posture is stored. The
message provided to the vehicle occupants are visual, audible,
haptic, or a combination thereof. For example, the messages and
ride actions that may be taken are: a) suppressing at least one
deployable restraint, b) instructing the occupant to tighten the
seatbelt around the child restraint seat, c) instructing the
occupant to re-install and rebuckle the child restraint seat, d)
preventing the ride from starting, e) taking the vehicle and
parking the vehicle in a local low risk location, f) remotely
resetting the system, view the interior environment to assess the
situation or dialogue with the occupant and g) turning on a message
icon, making an audible sound, vibrating a seat or some combination
thereof. Parameters can be stored such as the occupant
classification, the stored static length of the seatbelt, the
occupant posture, the seatbelt buckle status, the seat location,
the guide loop location, and any decision to enable or suppress
deployment of specific restraints. After block 663 the method
returns to block 102. Alternately, after block 663 in another
embodiment of the present disclosure the method returns to block
103.
However, if at block 662 a determination is made that the seatbelt
has not loosened, then the method 600 continues at block 664.
Alternatively, if at block 662 a determination is made that the
seatbelt has not loosened, method 600 continues to block 670. At
block 664 a determination is made whether the seatbelt has
tightened. For example, sensors that monitor seat movement may be
used to determine if the seat has moved and then seatbelt
tightening can be inferred. Alternatively, a seatbelt tension
sensor may be used to determine if the seatbelt has tightened. If
at block 664 a determination is made that the seatbelt has not
tightened, then the method 600 continues at block 668.
At block 668 a message is provided to the vehicle occupants, a ride
action is taken, and/or a measured stored static length,
restraint/seat status and occupant/child restraint seat
classification/posture is stored. The message provided to the
vehicle occupants are visual, audible, haptic, or a combination
thereof. For example, the messages and ride actions that may be
taken are: a) suppressing at least one deployable restraint, b)
instructing the occupant to tighten the seatbelt around the child
restraint seat, c) instructing the occupant to re-install and
rebuckle the child restraint seat, d) preventing the ride from
starting, e) taking the vehicle and parking the vehicle in a local
low risk location, f) remotely resetting the system, view the
interior environment to assess the situation or dialogue with the
occupant and g) turning on a message icon, making an audible sound,
vibrating a seat or some combination thereof. Parameters can be
stored such as the occupant classification, the stored static
length of the seatbelt, the occupant posture, the seatbelt buckle
status, the seat location, the guide loop location, and any
decision to enable or suppress deployment of specific restraints.
After block 668 the method returns to block 102. Alternately, after
block 668 in another embodiment of the present disclosure the
method returns to block 103.
However, if at block 664 a determination is made that the seatbelt
has tightened, then the method 600 continues at block 670. At block
670 a ride action is taken and/or a measured stored static length,
restraint/seat status and occupant/CRS classification/posture is
stored. For example, ride actions that may be taken are: a)
enabling a ride because a properly restrained child restraint seat
is present, b) messaging the occupants to inform them that the
child restraint seat is properly restrained and optionally
reminding them to properly buckle the child into the child
restraint seatbelt system, c) suppressing the deployment of
selected restraints, and d) turning on a message icon, making an
audible sound, playing an audible message, vibrating a seat or some
combination thereof. Parameters can be stored such as the occupant
classification, the stored static length of the seatbelt, the
occupant posture, the seatbelt buckle status, the seat location,
the guide loop location, and any decision to enable or suppress
deployment of specific restraints. After block 662 the method
continues to block 103. As another alternative, if at block 660, a
determination is made that the ALR was engaged after buckling,
method 600 skips block 662 and continue at block 664.
Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10, charts 700 and 702 illustrating
how the seatbelt payout thresholds vary according to seat and guide
loop movement, in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention. With respect to FIG. 9, chart 700 has on a horizontal
axis 704 seat movement and on a vertical axis 706 seatbelt payout
length. Seat movement ranges from a more rearward, either reclined
or more vertical, either higher or lower 708 to a more forward,
either reclined or more vertical, either higher or lower 710. A
first predetermined seatbelt payout length threshold 712 varies
from a more rearward seat position 708 and less seatbelt payout
length 718 to a more forward seat position 710 and more seatbelt
payout length 720. A seatbelt payout length threshold 714 varies
from a more rearward seat position 708 and less seatbelt payout
length 718 to a more forward seat position 710 and more seatbelt
payout length 720. Another seatbelt payout length threshold 714
varies from a more rearward seat position 708 and less seatbelt
payout length 718 to a more forward seat position 710 and more
seatbelt payout length 720. Moreover, the slopes of the threshold
curves 712, 714, 716 and the curve shapes may be different than
what is shown as an example in FIG. 9.
With respect to FIG. 10, graph 702 has on a horizontal axis 722
guideloop movement and on a vertical axis 724 seatbelt payout
length. Horizontal axis 722 guideloop movement ranges from lower
guideloop movement 726 to higher guideloop movement 728. A seatbelt
payout length threshold 734 varies from a lower guideloop movement
726 and less seatbelt payout length 730 to a more seatbelt payout
length 732 and higher guideloop movement 728. Another seatbelt
payout length threshold 736 varies from a lower guideloop movement
726 and less seatbelt payout length 730 to a more seatbelt payout
length 732 and higher guideloop movement 728. Yet another seatbelt
payout length threshold 738 varies from a lower guideloop movement
726 and less seatbelt payout length 730 to a more seatbelt payout
length 732 and higher guideloop movement 728. Moreover, the slopes
of the threshold curves 734, 736, 738 and the curve shapes may be
different than what is shown as an example in FIG. 10.
Referring now to FIG. 11, a flowchart of a method 1000 for
determining a seatbelt payout length and adjusting any of the above
identified thresholds after an occupant has moved the vehicle seat.
Method 1000 is initiated at block 1002 where the seatbelt payout
length is saved as a baseline seatbelt payout length. The seatbelt
payout length saved could be the previously saved stored static
length or the seatbelt payout length at the time of seat movement.
The choice is a calibratable input or hard coded into the method.
At block 1004, the vehicle seat is adjusted by the occupant. Method
1000 continues from block 1004 to block 1006, where a new seatbelt
payout length is saved as the stored static length and any of the
above identified thresholds are saved after seat travel has
stopped. After block 1006, method 1000 proceeds to block 1005 to
the next routing detection method.
Referring now to FIG. 12, a flowchart illustrating an alternate
method 1010 for determining a new seatbelt payout length and
adjusting any of the above identified thresholds after an occupant
has moved the vehicle seat. Method 1010 is initiated at block 1012
where the seatbelt payout length is saved as a baseline seatbelt
payout length. The payout length saved could be the previously
saved stored static length or the seatbelt payout length at the
time of seat movement. The choice is a calibratable input or hard
coded into the method. At block 1014, the vehicle seat is adjusted
by the occupant. At block 1016, the seatbelt payout length and
vehicle seat movement are monitored. At block 1018, a determination
is made whether the seatbelt payout length changed proportional to
the vehicle seat movement. If at block 1018, a determination is
made that the seatbelt payout length changed proportional to the
vehicle seat movement, then the method 1010 continues from block
1018 to block 1020 where a new seatbelt payout length is saved as
the stored static length and any of the above identified thresholds
are adjusted and saved after seat travel has stopped. After block
1020, method 1000 proceeds to block 1005 to the next routing
detection method 1040. However, if at block 1018, a determination
is made that the seatbelt payout length change is not proportional
to the vehicle seat movement, then the method 1010 continues from
block 1018 to block 1022 where a message is provided to the vehicle
occupants, a ride action is taken, or both are provided. Messages
can be visual, audible, haptic, or a combination of thereof.
Examples of messages and ride actions taken are: a) instructing the
occupant to unbuckle and re-buckle properly, b) instructing the
occupant to readjust the seat, c) preventing the ride from
starting, d) taking the vehicle and parking the vehicle in a local
low risk location, e) contacting the home office that oversees the
vehicle service to reset the system, view the interior environment
to assess the situation or dialogue with the occupant and g)
turning on a message icon, making a dinging sound, vibrating a seat
or some combination of these. After block 1022 the method 1010
returns to block 905 or continues to block 1005 to the next routing
method 1040.
With reference to FIG. 13, a chart of the range of acceptable
seatbelt payout lengths is shown for a given seat movement in order
to confirm that the measured seatbelt payout length is correct. An
example of how the seatbelt payout length 1030 varies within an
acceptable range 1032 relative to the saved payout length on the
vertical axis 1034 and the seat movement on the horizontal axis
1035. On the horizontal axis the seat movement varies from a from a
more reclined or more vertical, more rear, either lower or higher
seat position 1036 to a more reclined or more vertical, more
forward, either lower or higher seat position 1038. On the vertical
axis 1034 the seatbelt payout length varies from a small seatbelt
payout length 1040 to a large seatbelt payout length 1042. For
example, seat movement includes: vertical movement, fore-aft
movement, a seat bottom rotation movement, a seat back rotation
movement, a seat bottom extension movement, a lumbar extension
movement. Alternatively, more than one seat movement may be
represented on one axis as a compiled seat movement of several
individual movements. The perimeter of the acceptable range 1032
defines a seat difference threshold. Acceptable range 1032 of
seatbelt payout length may be defined to have different shapes and
location in FIG. 13.
Referring now to FIG. 14, a flowchart of a method 1040 for
determining a seatbelt payout length and adjusted thresholds after
an occupant has moved the guide loop. Method 1040 is initiated at
block 1042 where the seatbelt payout length is saved as a baseline
length. The saved seatbelt payout length is the previously saved
stored static seatbelt length or the seatbelt payout length at the
time of guide loop movement. The choice is a calibratable input or
hard coded into the method. At block 1044, the guide loop is
adjusted by the occupant. At block 1046, guide loop movement is
monitored. Method 1040 continues from block 1046 to block 1048,
where the seatbelt payout length is saved as the stored static
length and thresholds are saved after guide loop travel has
stopped. After block 1048, method 1040 proceeds to block 1055 to
the next routing detection method 1050.
Referring now to FIG. 15, a flowchart of an alternate method 1050
for determining a seatbelt payout and adjusted thresholds after an
occupant has moved the guide loop. Method 1050 is initiated at
block 1052 where the seatbelt payout length is saved as a baseline
length. The payout saved is the previously saved stored static
length or the seatbelt payout length at the time of seat movement.
The choice is a calibratable input or hard coded into the method.
At block 1054, the guide loop is adjusted by the occupant. At block
1056, the seatbelt payout and guide loop movement are monitored. At
block 1058, a determination is made whether the seatbelt payout
changed proportional to the guide loop movement. If at block 1058,
a determination is made that the seatbelt payout length has changed
proportional to the guide loop movement, then the method 1050
continues from block 1058 to block 1060 where the seatbelt payout
length is saved as the stored static length and thresholds are
saved after guide loop travel has stopped. After block 1060, method
1050 proceeds to block 1055 to the next routing detection method.
However, if at block 1058, a determination is made that the
seatbelt payout length change is not proportional to the guide loop
movement, then the method 1050 continues from block 1058 to block
1062 where a message is provided to the vehicle occupants, a ride
action is taken, or both are provided. Messages can be visual,
audible, haptic, or a combination of thereof. Examples of messages
and ride actions taken are: a) instructing the occupant to unbuckle
and re-buckle properly, b) instructing the occupant to readjust the
guide loop, c) preventing the ride from starting, d) taking the
vehicle and parking the vehicle in a local low risk location, e)
contacting the home office that oversees the vehicle service to
reset the system, view the interior environment to assess the
situation or dialogue with the occupant and g) turning on a message
icon, making a dinging sound, vibrating a seat or some combination
of these. After block 1062 the method 1050 returns to block 1005 or
continues to block 1055 to the next routing detection method.
With reference to FIG. 16, a chart illustrating the range of
acceptable seatbelt payout lengths for a given guide loop movement
in order to confirm that the measured payout length is correct. An
example of how the seatbelt payout length 1070 varies within an
acceptable range 1072 relative to the payout length saved on the
vertical axis 1073 and the guide loop movement on the horizontal
axis 1074. The perimeter of the acceptable range 1072 defines a
guide loop difference threshold. Acceptable range 1072 of seatbelt
payout length may be defined to have different shapes and location.
The guide loop movement varies from a lower guide loop position
1076 to a higher guide loop position 1078. The seatbelt payout
length varies from a lesser payout length 1080 to a greater payout
length 1082.
There are several variations which are possible within the scope of
this disclosure. Static payout length may be calculated numerous
ways. For example, the actual payout length or distance value is
when the seatbelt is buckled, or the average payout length value
over a time threshold during and after the time of seatbelt
buckling, or the minimum payout length or distance value over a
time threshold during and after the time of seatbelt buckling (to
account for an occupant leaning forward or twisting while
buckling), or the average or minimum payout length or distance
value between a first time threshold and a second time threshold
after buckling, or the minimum payout value before the seatbelt
payout increases (or increases beyond a threshold), or limited to
within a time threshold window after buckling.
Any of the above referenced thresholds can be programmed into the
algorithms or methods directly or as a calibratable feature that
can be input as an entry to the base algorithms. Many of the cited
thresholds can be discrete values or values that are adjustable.
Also, the algorithms can be repeated with a different threshold
where more severe warnings and ride actions are taken with larger
thresholds and less severe warnings and ride actions are taken with
smaller thresholds. The algorithm or method order can also be
switched, and two or more algorithms can run concurrently.
Seat belt webbing payout sensors 26, buckle sensors 22, occupancy
sensors 24, 25, can use instantaneously detected values or can use
values sampled over a time period. The sampling time period could
be varied by sensor type or the condition, i.e. a) vehicle
stationary vs vehicle moving, b) ride not started vs ride started,
and c) sensor response in to the method not changed vs sensor
response into the method changed.
In addition, the method described herein can cycle back and forth
between decision boxes as samples are taken and processed, and
decisions become more statistically accurate. The method can run
continuously or can run at intervals that are time based, vehicle
movement state based, sensed restraint condition based, and
occupant movement based.
The present disclosure also contemplates that all the algorithms or
methods, a portion of the algorithms or methods, all the associated
sensors, or a portion of the sensors may go to sleep or be halted
to save energy in select cases such as once the vehicle is moving.
For example, the seatbelt buckle sensor may remain active but the
seatbelt payout sensor and associated algorithms or methods may go
to sleep or be deactivated while the vehicle is moving or until the
vehicle re-enters a parked state.
In addition, messages and ride actions may be specific to the
detected condition or a common approach can be taken. For instance,
the standard buckle seatbelt icon in vehicles can be displayed if a
misrouted seatbelt condition is detected. There can also be one or
more time delays to run an algorithm, warn, or take vehicle action
so that people have the ability to adjust their posture and nearby
brought aboard personal objects in the vehicle including quickly
reach for objects without causing a warning or a ride action to
occur. These delays can be specific to certain parts of the
algorithms, certain messages and certain ride actions. They can
also be calibratable delays or the delays could be hard coded into
the algorithm. In addition, the messages and ride actions may be
applied in an escalating format where for instance, a visual
warning is first communicated, followed by an audible message,
followed by a haptic message, followed by a ride action that
doesn't stop the vehicle, followed by a ride action that stops the
vehicle. The delays between these events may be specific to certain
parts of the algorithms or methods or calibratable delays or the
delays may be hard coded into the algorithm or method.
Ride actions can also involve either enabling or suppressing
certain deployable restraints such as one or more airbags or one or
more seatbelt pretensioners. Ride actions can also involve enabling
or suppressing customer convenience features, such as the ability
to listen to audio or watch video on a screen.
Additionally, the order of the decision blocks in the method herein
described above can be changed where the output of one decision
block does not affect another decision block. For example, blocks
110 and 116 can be ordered so that block 116 precedes block
110.
The description of the present disclosure is merely exemplary in
nature and variations that do not depart from the gist of the
present disclosure are intended to be within the scope of the
present disclosure. Such variations are not to be regarded as a
departure from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.
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